The Federal Government has flagged off an Arabic language training programme for 600 Almajiri and Islamiyya teachers across the North-East, aimed at addressing the region’s high out-of-school population and improving Arabic instruction.
The initiative, spearheaded by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), was launched at the Nigeria Arabic Language Village in Maiduguri. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the programme as a strategic intervention to reverse the effects of prolonged educational neglect and insecurity caused by Boko Haram insurgency.
Teachers from Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba states—100 from each—will undergo intensive training to enhance their teaching capacity and boost Arabic language education in the region.
“This programme is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It goes beyond training—this is a bold step towards educational inclusion, national unity, and youth empowerment,” Alausa said.
Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, hailed the initiative as a transformative milestone for education in the North-East. He emphasized that Arabic instruction not only serves cultural and religious purposes but also creates academic and diplomatic opportunities for the younger generation.
He urged the participants to take the training seriously, noting they would become knowledge bearers and mentors within their communities.
NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to rebuilding educational foundations in the North-East. He encouraged facilitators to ensure the programme delivers lasting impact by equipping teachers with the necessary skills to uplift education in the region.
